Borage

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Common Names

For Patients & Caregivers

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Borage may be helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, but there is no evidence that it can treat menopausal symptoms, depression, dermatitis or other serious medical conditions.

Borage seed oil contains the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is also produced naturally in the body. GLA in borage oil is thought to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity. Borage also contains mucilage, a sticky mixture of plant sugars, which can act as an expectorant to produce phlegm in patients with coughs. Borage has been promoted for many uses, including the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, skin inflammations, diabetic nerve pain, menopause-related symptoms, and gastrointestinal diseases, but research shows only moderate support for its use to relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Although it has been suggested as an alternative source of GLA to evening primrose oil, borage seed oil can have toxic effects on the liver and its chronic use should be avoided, especially by patients with liver disease or women who are pregnant.

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​To reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis
Some clinical trials support this use.

As an expectorant and to treat coughs
Laboratory studies support this use, but there is no proof from clinical trials that borage can treat coughs.

To treat depression
No scientific evidence supports this use.

To treat dermatitis
Two clinical trials do not support its use for skin inflammation such as atopic dermatitis, although a small study suggests it may be helpful for an infant form of rash that usually occurs on the scalp.

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Borage oil products should be certified free of toxic compounds called unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPAs), at least no more than 0.5-1 microgram of UPAs per gram of borage oil. The German Federal Health Agency recommends that consumption of UPAs should be limited to no more than 1 microgram daily.

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You are pregnant: Borage oil may cause birth defects and premature labor.

You have liver disease: Borage oil may have small amounts of a compound that causes toxic liver effects.

You are taking drugs that can cause liver toxicity (eg, anabolic steroids, ketoconazole): Borage contains small amounts of compounds also known to be toxic to the liver.

You are taking blood thinners (eg, warfarin): Borage may increase bleeding risk or the effects of these drugs.

You are regularly taking NSAIDs (aspirin, AdvilTM, or cox-2 inhibitors): In theory, NSAIDs can reduce the effects of borage oil.

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Borage oil products should not be used unless they are certified free of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPAs) such as amabiline, which can damage the liver. Risk of liver damage increases with length of exposure and cumulative dose.

For Healthcare Professionals

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Borago officinalis

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Borage oil, derived from the seeds of the plant, is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (LA). In herbal and traditional medicine, borage oil has been used to induce sweating, as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory, to promote lactation, to stimulate adrenal function, and as an alternative source to evening primrose oil for obtaining GLA (13). It has also been promoted to treat rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, diabetic neuropathy, menopause-related symptoms, and gastrointestinal disease (14)(15).

In humans, studies show that GLA from borage seed oil has some benefits in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (7)(9). A long-term study evaluating fish and borage seed oils in RA patients at increased risk for cardiovascular disease suggest these may be useful to correct dyslipidemia when used either alone or in combination (19). Other analyses suggest moderate evidence of GLA-containing oils including borage oil for the relief of RA symptoms such as pain intensity and disability without increased adverse events, but adequate dose and treatment duration are unknown (20), and there was not enough available evidence to support their current use in RA management (21).

Studies are mixed on the effect of borage oil for skin conditions such as atopic eczema (11)(12) and infantile seborrheic dermatitis (5). Several analyses indicate that neither evening primrose oil nor borage oil are effective in treating atopic eczema, with improvements being similar to respective placebos (22)(23). A combination of seed oils from borage and echium (a plant rich in linolenic acid) produced anti-inflammatory effects in patients with mild asthma (24). In patients with early-stage type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, this combined supplementation also significantly lowered total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (25).

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Arthritis

Chest congestion

Cough

Depression

Dermatitis

Menopausal symptoms

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The anti-inflammatory properties of borage oil have been attributed to its high GLA content (16). It also contains other fatty acids including linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic, eicosenoic, and erucic acids (28). GLA can be converted to the prostaglandin precursor dihomo-gama-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA can block the transformation of arachidonic acid to leukotrienes and other prostaglandins (10). GLA can increase cAMP levels which suppress the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, an inflammatory mediator linked to rheumatoid arthritis (9). The mucilage constituent has an expectorant-like action and malic acid has a mild diuretic effect. The tannin constituent may have mild astringent and constipating actions (3).

In human studies, dietary supplementation with borage and echium seed oils produced anti-inflammatory effects in mild asthmatics by altering polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels and by attenuating leukotriene production (24).

Although aerial parts of borage demonstrate affinity for the serotonin transporter, its toxicity profile precludes its further development as an herbal drug (30). Borage contains several minor constituents known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are hepatotoxic, including amabiline, supinine, lycopsamine, intermedine, acetyllycopsamine and acetylintermedine (26)(31). Borage oil also has teratogenic effects, and its prostaglandin E agonist action may cause premature labor (9).

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Borage contains small amounts of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPAs) that are hepatotoxic. Consumption of 1–2 g of borage seed oil daily can result in a UPA intake approaching 10 ug. The German Federal Health Agency specified consumption of such products should be limited to no more than 1 ug of UPA daily. Borage oil products should be certified free of UPAs (meeting the criterion of no more than 0.5-1 ug/g) (2).

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Liver disease: Patients with liver problems should avoid this product.